Nov. 3, 2005

USC students are about to have access to the Colonial Center like they never have before. As if top-notch basketball and entertainment weren’t enough to draw students to the arena, now USC students will have even more reasons to attend basketball games and concerts.

Together, the University’s athletic department and the Colonial Center met with student leaders this fall and worked on making a concerted effort to better accommodate students in three new ways:

1. USC of Carolina Card at the Colonial Center for purchase of food and tickets 2. Pre and Post Game Shuttlecocks from three areas on campus 3. Student entry from any gate at the Colonial Center

“It is a collaboration that we are very excited about,” says Colonial Center Assistant General Manager Matt Homan. “Working with the University in this capacity will allow us to provide students with a much more convenient way to enjoy the Colonial Center.”

Starting this Saturday, with a swipe of the Carolina Card, students will be able to enjoy any event at the Colonial Center. Students who attend basketball games and other Colonial Center events are now able to purchase food and drinks from select concession stands in the arena with their Carolina Card. Possibly more exciting though, is the fact that students will be able to swipe their card to purchase tickets to all Colonial Center events.”

The first chance for students to try out the new approach to ticket purchasing will occur this Saturday, November 5, when tickets for WWE SmackDown go on sale at 10:00 am at the Colonial Center box office.

Additionally, USC will run Shuttlecocks, buses that will transport students from select locations on campus to the Colonial Center,,for all home basketball games. The shuttles will pick up students from Bates, Russell House and Capstone, and will begin running one hour prior to game time. The shuttles will run for up to an hour after the game to return students to campus.

As for arriving at basketball games and entering the Colonial Center, students will now be able to enter through the front doors of the building. In the past, students have had a separate entrance on Lincoln Street; however, this access has been modified, and students will now be welcomed through the front doors.

“We are working to build our student fan support to the level that SEC Basketball enjoys across the conference,” says Coach Dave Odom. “I appreciate our administration’s willingness to work with our various student organizations to ensure that every student has a ticket, has transportation to and from the game, as well as the opportunity to eat with their Carolina Card at the game in total. No other student body in our league enjoys that package. We are looking forward to developing a good basketball team this season that connects with our student body. Gamecocks students — we will see you at the Colonial Center!”